# NTSB FTW03LA096: Cessna 182F, N3535Y, Wildorado, TX, January 31, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 31, 2003, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Wildorado, TX
- Coordinates: 35.118057, -102.184997
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1181&lon=-102.1850&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Flight Standards District Office (SW13)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 56487
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW03LA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56487/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56487
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA096

## Probable cause

The airplane collided with an animal that wandered onto the runway.  A contributing factor was sun glare impairing the pilot's view on final approach.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - object - animal(s) (cause)

## Analysis

The 1,266-hour commercial pilot collided with livestock while landing on a 2,000 foot private dirt airstrip.  The pilot reported that while on final approach, a 600-pound calf crossed into the aircraft's flight path.  The aircraft struck the calf with its landing gear.  The pilot added that he was landing towards the west (Runway 26) into the setting sun.  The sunglare impaired the pilot's view in final approach.

## Factual narrative

On January 31, 2003, at approximately 1730 central standard time, a Cessna 182F single-engine airplane, N3535Y, registered to and operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged after colliding with livestock while on final approach to a private ranch airstrip located near Wildorado, Texas.  The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.  The local flight originated at 1530 from Wildorado, Texas.

The 1,266-hour pilot, who had accumulated 663 hours in the accident aircraft, reported that while on final approach, a 600-pound calf crossed into the aircraft's flight path.  The aircraft then struck the calf with its landing gear.  The aircraft sustained structural damage to the engine firewall and bottom of the fuselage.

The dirt airstrip was reported to be 2,000 feet long and 50 feet wide.  The pilot reported he was landing to the west, into the setting sun.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3535Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3535Y-2005-07-25), registration cancelled 2005-07-25, S/N 18254435, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 182F
- Registry model: [Cessna 182F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182f) (registry code 2072714) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18254435
- Airframe hours: 2400
- Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Billy Bob Moore
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2002, 20 hours before
- Departed: 1TE6, Wildorado, TX
- Destination: 1TE6

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review January 16, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 1,266 total, 663 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20030131000999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030131000999A), Jan 31, 2003: Cessna 182F, Wildorado, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On January 31, 2003 at approximately 1715 CST Cessna aircraft model 182-F, registration N3535Y, struck a young bovine while on low approach to runway 22…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 31, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56487. 214 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 214 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40202717&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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